How to Apply
Important: The button below will take you to University Admissions. Use the following advice to correctly identify your interest in this program.
- Apply for Admission to Graduate School
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Three letters of recommendation
Minimum of two from individuals with a doctorate, preferably prior graduate faculty
gradeduc@umsl.edu -
Transcripts and/or Entrance examinations
- Request that all colleges and universities you have attended send transcripts electronically to: gradadm@umsl.edu.
- Acceptable scores on Graduate Record Examination .
- International applicants are required to document English proficiency by providing scores from an internationally accepted standardized examination before a decision is made on admission.
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An original essay
Please submit an essay that shows your ability to write as well as your rationale for seeking admission to a PhD program in your emphasis area.
gradeduc@umsl.edu -
Grade Point Average
Minimum of 3.0 on 4.0 scale. -
Professional resume
Please document at least two years of teaching or other school service.
gradeduc@umsl.edu
Application Fee: $50 for domestic applicants; $40 for international applicants
Thank you for choosing UMSL!
Impact the Field of Educational Psychology
A campus-based doctoral program requiring independent study under the guidance of a doctoral advisor
The Ph.D in Education with an emphasis in Educational Psychology is an exciting and rewarding effort. Educational psychology is a branch of psychology that incorporates a number of sub-disciplines, including developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, neuro-education, and psychological measurement and assessment. It examines how the social, emotional, and cognitive processes as well as technology are involved in learning for children and adults alike. As such, students can focus on some different areas, such as how different types of technology affect students’ learning or how to incorporate psychological principles in designing and creating curriculums or learning materials that maximize learning for individuals or students with special needs, including the needs of gifted students.
Educational psychology also can focus on the study of the similarities and differences among individuals that guides educators to know how to promote learning and enhance motivation and informs them about which instructional and assessment strategies support students' learning and development. Studying with experts in the field will give you in-depth knowledge in these areas and provide you with the needed expertise to change the way we work with youth and adults.
The Ph.D consists of a minimum of 90 hours of graduate coursework, including foundation courses (9-12 hours), research methods (15-18 hours), primary discipline courses (27-33 hours), and secondary discipline courses (12-15 hours). In addition, candidates must take a 3 hour exit course, complete a 6-9 hour research internship and complete dissertation research.
With this degree, students can work in schools and organizations with teachers, instructors, or human resources personnel to enhance the outcomes of learning, prevention, intervention, or training.
Alexandra Gresick
p: (314) 516-5107
- Deadline to Apply:
- December 1st
Admission and General Requirements
In addition to meeting the application and admissions requirements of the Graduate School, students must submit:
- Three letters of recommendation (at least two from individuals with earned doctorates, preferably prior instructors).
- An original essay.
- A professional resume.
- Evidence of above-average academic records. A GPA of 3.5 or higher is preferred.
- GRE scores. Quantitative and verbal scores at or above the 50th percentile are preferred. An analytical writing score of 4.0 or higher is preferred.
Admission is competitive, and a favorable vote of an admission interview committee, composed of faculty in the emphasis area, is required.
Degree Program
- Coursework: A minimum of 60 credit hours is required beyond the master’s degree, including 6 hours of dissertation research. A minimum of 42 of these hours must be completed in residence. For students who have not completed a master’s degree, a minimum of 90 hours, postbaccalaureate, is required, including 6 hours of dissertation research (the Graduate School’s residency requirement applies). Students in the Counseling emphasis area complete the following requirements: a minimum 90 hours, postbaccalaureate, including 12 hours of dissertation research (the Graduate School’s residency requirement applies).
- Dissertation: All students must defend orally a written dissertation proposal to their dissertation committee. A dissertation embodying the results of original research must be accepted by the dissertation committee and the Graduate School.
Admission Application
To ensure time for review and decision, applicants should submit the Graduate School application, college transcripts, and any program-specific materials (e.g. supplemental application, letters of recommendation, etc.) well in advance of the December 1st deadline. Please note that unofficial transcripts can be uploaded with the Graduate School application to expedite admissions decisions; however, official transcripts must be received directly from all prior institutions attended before regular admission to any program will be granted. In addition, applicants are urged to request transcripts and letters or recommendation two weeks before completing the online application. Consideration of applications cannot be undertaken until all materials are available.
Degree Requirements
Students in the Teaching-Learning Processes, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and Educational Psychology emphasis areas complete the following requirements.
| 1. Research Methods | 15-18 | |
| Students in the Teaching –Learning Processes, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and Educational Psychology emphasis areas should complete the following research methods courses (or equivalent). | ||
ED REM 6735 | Statistical Analysis for Education Research (Prerequisite) | |
ED REM 6750 | Advanced Research Design In Education | |
| Plus any three methods courses from the following: | ||
ED REM 7771 | Quantitative Research Methods I | |
ED REM 7772 | Quantitative Research Methods II | |
ED REM 7781 | Qualitative Methods in Educational Research I | |
ED REM 7782 | Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II | |
| This sequence totals 15 hours of methods courses. Remaining hours can be completed with other ED REM courses numbered 6000 or higher or research courses in another curriculum. | ||
| 2. Program Area of Study to Develop Discipline Knowledge (as determined by student, advisor, and program) | 24-26 | |
| 3. Core courses | 10-14 | |
| EDUC 7490 | Directed Readings in the Education Research Literature | 1-3 |
| EDUC 7050 | The Research Process I: Framing Research Questions in Education Research | 3 |
| EDUC 7625 | Building Socially Just and Ethical Educational Communities | 3 |
| Electives | 2-4 | |
| 4. Dissertation Proposal Writing | ||
| EDUC 7950 | Preparation for Writing the Dissertation Proposal | 1-3 |
| 5. Dissertation | ||
| EDUC 7999 | Dissertation Research | 6 |
